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[Graphic News] Incidence of early puberty up 42.3% in 5 years
US would seek for UNSC measures if N. Korea fires missiles again: news repo...
[Newsmaker] Bush in S. Korea for former President Roh's death anniversary
European nations pitch to attract Korean startups at EXIT Daejeon 2019
Global policy framework to enhance transport connectivity in spotlight
[Kim Myong-sik] Insatiable ‘historians,’ enough is enough
[Carl P. Leubsdorf] One constant to Trump’s foreign policy: failure
[Editorial] Mend ties
[Seoul Food Alley] Chicken stew alley with fishy vibe in Dongdaemun
US, North Korea square off over seized trade ship

Today Social affairs

[Graphic News] Incidence of early puberty up 42.3% in 5 years

　The incidence of premature puberty has increased in the past five years in South Korea, according to the National Health Insurance Corp.　The number of children who reached puberty too early stood at 95,401 in 2017, up 42.3 percent from 2013. 　Symptoms of precocious puberty include rapid growth, changes in body shape and size, and the development of ability to reproduce before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys.

[Newsmaker] Crested ibises return to wild in S. Korea 40 years after going extinct

Crested ibises, an endangered bird, were reintroduced to the wild in South Korea on Wednesday, 40 years after the species went extinct on the Korean Peninsula.Forty crested ibises, which were bred in captivity at the Crested Ibis Restoration Center, were released into the wild of Upo Wetland in Changnyeong of South Gyeongsang Province, 350 kilometers southeast of Seoul.The Ministry of Environment and local governments organized a release ceremony for the birds at the wetland, just in time for Wo

Today
Social affairs
Wild dogs' attacks on livestock on the rise nationwide

A growing number of dogs who were abandoned by their owners or left their homes have become wild animals across the country, attacking cattle and other livestock, local residents and officials said Wednesday.On April 15, about 20 golden pheasants and ornamental peacocks were bitten to death by animals with sharp teeth at a restaurant in Uijeongbu, just north of Seoul.The restaurant owner and officials found later that the bizarre attack was committed by four wild dogs, which have been frequently

Today
Social affairs
Government vows to reduce tobacco consumption

The Health Ministry said Tuesday it is planning to ban flavored cigarettes, require plain packaging for tobacco products and increase health warning requirements as part of its measures to curb tobacco consumption.During a committee meeting for national health promotion policy Tuesday, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said the ministry intends to “root out an environment conducive to smoking” with the regulations. (Yonhap)According to the ministry, the percentage of male adult smokers recorded 38.

Today
Social affairs
[Newsmaker] Hanwha Total’s chemical leak affects 650 people

Two massive leaks of chemical vapor at Hanwha Total Petrochemical’s factory in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, have affected around 650 people, local authorities said Tuesday.The company, a 50:50 joint venture of Hanwha General Chemicals and French energy giant Total, faces allegations of attempting to cover up the leakages that occurred at around 11:45 a.m. on May 17 and 5:40 a.m. the next day.“There were no reports on the accident until the city government called to confirm the first leak,

Today
Social affairs
[From the scene] Tent regulations in Hangang parks trigger controversy

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Yeouido Hangang Park in southwestern Seoul was packed with people seeking to enjoy the greenery at outdoor picnics. A sea of tents is a familiar sight along the riverside parks -- but this time, the tents had to be squeezed into a smaller space due to new regulations from the Seoul Metropolitan Government. As of April 22, tents are allowed only in designated zones within the riverside parks until 7 p.m., and must remain open on at least two sides at all times.A pla

May 21, 2019
Social affairs
Panel identifies flaws in 2009 probe into actress suicide

A truth panel concluded Monday that the prosecution did not properly investigate the 2009 suicide of an actress who claimed to have been sexually abused by high-profile figures and that a major newspaper allegedly attempted to influence the investigation.The panel, however, stopped short of recommending a reinvestigation of the case.The suicide of rookie actress Jang Ja-yeon was one of the six cases the independent panel, commissioned by the justice ministry, added to a list for reinvestigation

May 20, 2019
Social affairs
Second DMZ hiking trail to open in Cheorwon in June

The second inter-Korean border trail along the Demilitarized Zone that demarcates South and North Korea will be opened to civilian hikers next month, officials said Monday.The central section of the DMZ in Cheorwon of Gangwon Province, about 90 kilometers northeast of Seoul, will be opened for the government-initiated "DMZ Peace Trail" program on June 1, the officials said.The first DMZ Peace Trail was launched in an eastern coastal section in Goseong, Gangwon Province, on April 27, drawing hund

May 20, 2019
Social affairs
[Newsmaker] Video footage of female cop controlling drunkard sparks dispute

A video released by the police to refute public criticism of a female police officer’s handling of violence has proved counterproductive, as more criticism has emerged, this time citing the video.Guro Police Station on Friday disclosed a two-minute video footage showing two police officers confronting drunk men on Monday night on the street in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.(Video released by Guro Police Station)On Wednesday, a shorter version of the video uploaded online by a citizen had s

May 20, 2019
Social affairs
S. Korean man held hostage in Libya returns home

A South Korean man, who was abducted in Libya last July and released this week, expressed his gratitude to the government for the rescue efforts upon his arrival here Saturday. The 62-year-old, identified only by his surname Joo, was taken hostage, along with three Filipinos, by a group of 10 armed militants on July 6 while working at a desalination plant in western Libya. He was released Thursday after 315 days of captivity. (Yonhap)"President (Moon Jae-in) and staff from the foreign ministry,

May 18, 2019
Social affairs
Prosecutors indict singer Park Yoo-chun on drug use charges

Prosecutors indicted Park Yoo-chun, actor and former member of boy band JYJ, on charges of using drugs on Friday.The 32-year-old Park is alleged to have purchased 1.5 grams of methamphetamine earlier this year and used the drug together with the granddaughter of the founder of a dairy producer.Last summer, he is suspected of having taken the drug alone at his home in southern Seoul. (Yonhap)The now-jailed Park earlier confessed that he has used drugs since last summer and began to use the banned

May 17, 2019
Social affairs
‘All wars are wars on children’

Marking the 100th anniversary of its founding, Save the Children has launched a global campaign reminding people that wars take a severe toll on children. As part of the campaign, the Korea chapter of the children’s charity is holding a photo exhibition at Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul from Friday to Tuesday under the theme of “Stop the War on Children.”Portraits of children at refugee camps in Lebanon, Bangladesh (Save the Children)The photos were taken by award-winning documentary photogra

May 18, 2019
Social affairs
[Newsmaker] Memorial ceremony held in Gwangju to remember victims of 1980 pro-democracy uprising

A memorial service was held in Gwangju on Friday to remember the victims of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city.Hundreds of bereaved family members and relatives attended the memorial service held at the May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on the eve of the 39th anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement. (Yonhap)At the traditional Korean memorial service, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop and other local dignitaries delivered ad

May 17, 2019
Social affairs
Murderer of psychiatrist gets 25-year prison term

A man was sentenced to 25 years in jail on Friday for killing a doctor during medical treatment at a general hospital in Seoul last year.The Seoul Central District Court also ordered the 30-year-old defendant, surnamed Park, to carry an electronic tracking device for 25 years after his release from prison.Park was convicted of fatally stabbing his psychiatrist, Lim Se-won, while receiving treatment in Lim's clinic office at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital on Dec. 31, 2018.(Yonhap)Park stabbed Lim in hi

May 17, 2019
Social affairs
S. Korean government to switch to Linux: ministry

The government will switch the operating system of its computers from Windows to Linux, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Thursday.The Interior Ministry said the ministry will be test-running Linux on its PCs, and if no security issues arise, Linux systems will be introduced more widely within the government. (Yonhap)The decision comes amid concerns about the cost of continuing to maintain Windows, as Microsoft’s free technical support for Windows 7 expires in January 2020.The transit

May 18, 2019
Social affairs

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